South East Asia, as tried-and-true of a travel destination as it is, still requires a fair bit of planning and a bit of creativity when it comes to packing. Should you pack hiking boots or can you get away with a good pair of sneakers? Can your rain jacket really be a jack-of-all-trades and fulfill multiple purposes? What products can serve as Swiss Army Knives and maximize function without taking up too much space? For example, my Scrubba laundry bag also doubles as a dry bag. A microfiber towel takes up almost no space and comes in handy in many a situation.

And of course, these days, being prepared isn’t just about what’s in your bag. It’s also about what’s on your phone, the true Swiss Army Knife that does it all. Maps, accommodation, chats, I’d reckon most of us would rather lose our passports before we lose our phones. From backpacking necessities to smartphone essentials that I guarantee you can’t live without, these are my must-haves for traveling through South East Asia.

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Apps to Download Before Going to South East Asia

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is the only resource you need for booking accommodation as a backpacker. I’ve been using it for over a decade, and it just keeps getting better and better. Their group chat feature has changed the game, making Hostelworld go far beyond just a booking platform. It puts you in a group with every other backpacker staying in your hostel and even the entire city. I love this feature when I’m somewhere a little less touristic so I can obtain intel, make plans, and coordinate with other travelers even if they’re staying in a different hostel.

Saily eSIM

As the world rapidly becomes more dependent on technology, staying connected is more important than ever. Saily has quickly my favorite eSIM app to use, thanks to their affordable plans and very reliable throughout South East Asia and beyond. Having an eSIM guarantees you having internet from the moment you land to the moment you fly out. If you don’t have a SIM card slot or simply don’t want to juggle physical sim cards as you hop from country to country, then an eSIM is definitely for you. Use my code “eli5” to get 5% off your Saily eSIM.

Maps.me

Ol’ reliable when it comes to navigating Asia and beyond. I’ve been using maps.me since my very early days of backpacking. While I typically just hop on Google Maps out of habit, maps.me always feels like a godsend when I can’t find what I need. It shows you tons of places that you won’t find on other maps apps, and since it’s an app for travelers by travelers, the map locations cater to exactly that. The detailed backpacker and solo traveler contributions are essential – hyper-local bus stops, which exact patch of ground on the highway to wait for a local minibus on, backpacker-favorite local eateries, and so on.

Klook, GetYourGuide, Viator, etc.

While it’s easy enough to book tours directly from your hostel or a tour agency, I still find these platforms extremely helpful. They offer a good overview of what to do in an area, and they are guaranteed to give you a few ideas. GetYourGuide, Viator, and Klook, which is especially popular in Asia, can help fill in the blanks with some other unique offerings. Activities such as food tours, cooking classes, and art workshops are a few that always catch my eye. They also frequently have randomly huge discounts on some tours, so it never hurts to look. It might end up being cheaper than a hostel or agency.

Grab, Gojek, Uber, etc.

You’re going to need a plan for getting around, and in South East Asia, it can be overwhelming. Buses, MRTs, LRTs, monorails, taxis, jeepneys, tricycles, rickshaws, tuk tuks, and the omnipresent motorbike. Luckily, ride-hailing services are relatively affordable. Each country has their own go-to, but Grab seems to have taken over as the most predominant app. It does vary country by country, so look up what each country uses before going. For example, Gojek is quite common in Indonesia, and the Philippines has separate apps for motorbike taxis, such as Joyride or Angkas.

Polar Steps

Polar Steps is basically a set-it-and-forget-it travel diary. It works in the background to track your destinations as “steps”, and you can easily add pictures/descriptions/stories to each destination. It’s particularly fun for longer trips with lots of stops, and you can make your trips public to other Polar Steps users so friends & family can follow along!

TravelSpend

Okay, okay, I know budgeting is no fun, but if you’re trying to travel without breaking the bank, you gotta know where your money is going. Travel Spend is my favorite expense tracking app which makes it super easy to add expenses on the go. It has features like currency conversion, travel expense categories, and country tagging so you can easily see how much that Vietnamese iced coffee additction is actually costing you.

Google Translate

While you can get by with a little English and a little creativity in a lot of South East Asia, there will inevitably come a time when Google Translate is your best friend. Big shoutout to their image translation feature – perfect for decoding menus when you want to eat adventurously but not too adventurously.

Essential Websites for Backpacking Asia

SafetyWing Travel Medical Insurance

Travel insurance is essential. I use SafetyWing for my travel medical insurance to make sure that I’m covered for any scooter mishaps, food poisoning scares, or anything else I get myself into no matter where I am in South East Asia. It starts from just $2/day and you can even sign up from the road if you’ve procrastinated. Check out SafetyWing’s insurance plans here.

Booking.com

Booking is usually where I find the best hotel deals in South East Asia. It has a wide variety of accommodation options from homestays & hostels all the way to luxury resorts, so you’re sure to find something regardless of what you’re looking for.

Agoda

Agoda is another hotel aggregation website which tends to be more used in parts of South East Asia than other accommodation websites. I personally don’t like the interface as much as Booking, but if you’re not finding a good selection or want to compare prices, Agoda is great to have on deck.

Skiplagged, Google Flights, Skyscanner, etc.

These flight aggregation sites often include some of the low-cost budget airlines in South East Asia, which is key if you’re looking for those sweet sweet cheap flights. Keep in mind that most South East Asia budget carriers have strict baggage rules, so make sure to check luggage costs before you get too excited about that $25 flight.

12go, RedBus, EasyBook, DirectFerries, etc

You won’t just be flying around South East Asia. Odds are, you’ll be on your fair share of ferries, trains, and buses. Even though I don’t always book through these websites, they are still useful tools for getting an idea of schedules and availabilities. Sometimes, it’s also worth paying their commission fees just so you don’t have to head to the bus terminal or train station to book the ticket yourself.

Bounce Luggage Storage

Luggage storage can come in really handy, and can actually save you money when used strategically. Unfortunately, lockers aren’t as common in South East Asia as they are in countries like South Korea and Japan. That’s where Bounce comes in to save the day. Sometimes, it makes more sense to just leave your suitcase or bulky backpack behind in a big city like Jakarta when making a quick detour to Komodo Island. Between the fees for checked baggage, and the inconvenience of bringing things you don’t need, it can make sense to pay a little to leave your luggage behind in a trusted location. As someone who travels full-time and has to pack for pretty much every climate and situation, Bounce is a lifesaver.

Essential Packing List for South East Asia

Raincoat or Poncho

If you’re trying to travel light and cheap, you can pick up one of the big plastic ponchos from 7-eleven for a buck or two. However, I think a raincoat is essential if you want something sturdy, and also want an extra layer. South East Asia is, as a whole, a very warm and humid region, but it isn’t like that everywhere. Places like Sa Pa in Vietnam, the Mountain Province in the Philippines, and Chiangmai in Thailand can get chilly. If you plan on doing sunrise hikes up volcanoes in Indonesia, then those layers definitely come in handy. A fleece or down jacket can be bulky, so I think a raincoat or waterproof outer shell can take up minimal space while serving as your rain repellent and warm layer.

Strong Sunscreen

The sun is unavoidable in South East Asia. If you want to avoid being burt to a crisp, make sure you keep sunscreen at the ready. You’ll be able to pick up sunscreen at most pharmacies, but it’s worth bringing at least a starter stash with you.

A Sturdy Dry Bag

If you’re dreaming of tropical beaches, boat rides, and maybe even some island hopping in South East Asia, make sure your phone survives the adventure. Nothing kills a phone faster than an unexpected dunk in saltwater, so a small dry bag is a must to keep valuables dry.

A Power Bank (or Maybe Two)

Pretty self-explanatory. For long travel days, overnight buses, or big excursions where you’ll be snapping lots of photos or videos, it’s important to have a little extra juice.

Quality Hiking or Outdoor Sandals

Good hiking sandals are another way to cover multiple purposes while minimizing space. Many temples and hostels in South East Asia are shoe-free spaces, so it’s handy to have a pair of walking shoes which is easy to slip off and on. Big fan of my Tevas.

Scrubba Bag for Laundry on the Go

Laundry is fairly affordable across South East Asia, but I like having the Scrubba to take care of a few small things here and there.

A Water Filter

The water in South East Asia isn’t always safe to drink. More often than not, to be honest. A good water filter will save you stomach pain and a little bit of money, as well as be better for the environment as a whole. I’m personally fond of the Sawyer water filter, but it’s a matter of preference.

Earplugs, Eye Mask, & Other Sleepy-time Assistants

Unless you’re the world’s heaviest sleeper, earplugs and an eye mask are sleeping essentials for a South East Asia trip. Whether you’re blocking out hostel dorm chaos, crack-of-dawn calls to prayer, or nightbus noise, it’s always nice to have a bit of control over your sleep.

An Ever-Useful Microfiber Towel

I always keep a microfiber towel in my bag – it takes up minimal space, and you never know when a hostel is going to charge for towels. It’s also perfect to bring to the beach or pool when you’re escaping that South East Asia heat. Those white sandy beaches can’t come soon enough, hey?

South East Asia is an iconic region among travelers for a reason. From the parties of Khao San Road in Bangkok to the breathtakingly clear waters of Palawan in the Philippines, there’s truly something for everyone. Whether you’re a first-time backpacker or a seasoned traveler, everyone needs a solid South East Asia packing list before setting off. Nothing ruins the “just landed in paradise” vibes like realizing you need to scramble to replace something you forgot, so keep this list handy as you prep for your South East Asia adventure!